Dynamic Article for Toilet Training

Abstract

A dynamic inflatable pillow for toilet training children has a compartment wherein a gas-generating composition disposed. Once water enters the pillow compartment through water permeable sides, gas is generated and bubbles are released from at least one gas-release outlet. Dyes may be added to the gas-generating composition to create colored effluent. Functional dyes may be printed on the pillow surface(s), which may appear or, disappear when wetted.

1 . An article for toilet training comprising:
 an inflatable pillow defining a first compartment, the pillow having an outer surface and an inner surface; and   a gas generating composition disposed within the compartment;   wherein pillow comprises a first outlet located thereon so the gas generating composition is in fluid communication with an environment outside of the pillow compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the pillow is made from a hydrophilic material. 
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 1  comprising a second outlet located on the pillow, wherein the first outlet is spaced apart from the second outlet. 
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the pillow further comprises a first side joined to a second side at a seam, wherein the first outlet is located in the seam. 
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 4  further including indicia visible from the outer surface, wherein the indicia comprises a functional ink. 
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 4  further comprising a second outlet, the second outlet is located in the seam, wherein the first outlet and the second outlet are spaced apart from each other. 
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the gas generating composition comprises a dye. 
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the gas generating composition comprises multiple dyes of different hues. 
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the flexible side comprises permanent indicia that can be viewed at the outer surface. 
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 1  further comprising a string member attached to the article at the inner or the outer surface. 
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 1  further comprising a second compartment separated from the first compartment by a membrane. 
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the perimeter defines a shape selected from the group consisting of an animal, a fish, a geometric, a plant, a toy, a machine and a building. 
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 12  wherein the first outlet coincides with a feature of the shape that is defined by a graphic. 
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the pillow is made from a hydrophobic material having pores or apertures for allowing water to access the gas generating composition. 
     
     
         15 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the first compartment is subdivided to form separate compartments, wherein one of separate compartments has the first outlet, and the each remaining separate compartments has an outlet corresponding thereto. 
     
     
         16 . A method of propelling an article for toilet training, the method comprising the steps of:
 forming a pillow having a first compartment by attaching two water-permeable sheets of material together to form a shape, wherein the shape has a line of symmetry;   locating a first outlet at a perimeter of the shape; and   disposing a gas-propelling composition within the pillow compartment.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of locating one or more additional outlets at the perimeter, wherein the first outlet and the one or more additional outlets are positioned such that the article spins when placed in an aqueous environment. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of locating a second outlet at the perimeter, wherein the first outlet and the second outlet are spaced apart in a non-symmetric fashion with respect to the line of symmetry so that the article moves randomly when placed in an aqueous environment. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of locating a second outlet at the perimeter, wherein the first outlet and the second outlet are spaced apart, and wherein the gas-propelling composition includes first dye that is emitted from the first outlet and a second dye, different in hue from the first dye, that is emitted from the second outlet. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the step of dividing the first compartment to create a second compartment.